Never mind Broadway's long-previewing Spider-Man: Another fabled comic book creation is being brought to the stage in Batman Live, which will launch an international arena stage tour at Manchester's Evening News Arena July 19-24, prior to runs in the U.K. at Newcastle, Glasgow, Sheffield, Birmingham, London, Liverpool, Nottingham, Dublin and Belfast. The London season will be at the 02 Arena Aug. 24-Sept. 4.

The production, which will go on to tour to the rest of Europe, is planned to go on to North America in August 2012.

According to press materials, the show is based on the story of young Dick Grayson (Robin), a circus performer who loses his parents to organized crime. Faithfully adapted from the DC Comics characters and stories, Batman Live focuses on Robin's quest for justice, which leads him to follow in the footsteps of his hero, the mysterious vigilante known as Batman – much to the dismay of his protective guardian, millionaire Bruce Wayne – who secretly happens to be Batman. This triangle resolves itself in a journey across Gotham City that transforms Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson into the legendary crime-fighters Batman and Robin and takes the audience from the Big Top of Haly's Circus to the lower depths of Arkham Asylum, from the glittering peaks of the Penguin’s Iceberg Lounge to the subterranean wonders that await inside the Batcave, which features an all-new Batmobile designed exclusively for the production by car designer Professor Gordon Murray. He has designed racing cars for some of the most successful teams in the world, including Brabham Formula One Team and McLaren Racing, and has 50 Grand Prix wins to his name.

Batman Live is written by Allan Heinberg, with the original story by Stan Berkowitz and Alan Burnett, and Allan Heinberg. Anthony Van Laast, whose choreographic credits include Mamma Mia!, is creative director, with James Powell as co-director. Sets and props are designed by Es Devlin, with costumes by Jack Galloway, music composed by James Brett, sound by Simon Baker and lighting by Patrick Woodroffe. The Circus Space are billed as creative partners and circus consultants, with Jack Berry as technical manager and Sam Pattinson as video producer. It is produced by Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP), DC Entertainment and Nick Grace of Water Lane Productions Ltd (WLP).

In a press statement, Heinberg commented, "I am delighted to be joining a team as committed to delivering an unparalleled visual spectacle, as they are to telling a compelling, emotional story. Batman Live is lovingly faithful to the characters and their distinguished history and it provides a unique opportunity for new and lifelong fans to experience Batman and his world as they never have before."

For full UK touring details and ticketing information, visit www.batmanlive.com.